Abigail Adams Cairn

The cairn stands at the intersection of Franklin Street and Viden Road on Penn's Hill, marking a site connected to the American Revolutionary War. The stone structure is made up of rocks gathered from several significant locations.

In 1775, Abigail Adams watched the Battle of Bunker Hill and the burning of Charlestown from this location with her seven-year-old son John Quincy Adams. This moment was later commemorated by a memorial built a century afterward.

The memorial was built in 1896 by the Adams Chapter of the Society of the Daughters of the Revolution, incorporating stones gathered from multiple historically significant locations. This composition reflects a connection to several important sites in American history.

The ground becomes slippery in wet conditions and requires careful navigation, so visitors should wear appropriate footwear. Parking is limited, so arriving during quieter hours or weekdays can be helpful.

A time capsule was discovered inside the cairn in 2008 containing historical artifacts from the monument's construction period. This find connects the past from two different eras in a single location.

Location: Massachusetts

GPS coordinates: 42.23385,-70.99754

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:03